ALERT 96-24
Type:   Unauthorized Banking       Subject: Banc Mercantile, Ltd.

TO:  Chief Executive Officers of all National Banks; all State
     Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the
     Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance
     Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy
     Comptrollers (Districts); District Administrators; District
     Counsel and Examining Personnel

RE:  Banc Mercantile, Ltd.
     2607 Holman Avenue
     Silver Spring, MD  20910

     Information has been received that the subject entity may be
     operating a banking business in the United States without
     authorization.  The Division of Financial Regulation of the
     State of Maryland has advised that no bank charter has been
     granted.  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has
     not granted a national bank charter to this entity.

     Any information which you may have concerning this matter
     should be brought to the attention of:
     
     
                    Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
                    Enforcement & Compliance Division
                    250 E Street, S.W.
                    Washington, D.C.  202l9
                    Fax (202) 874-5301



                                      
     Daniel P. Stipano
     Director
     Enforcement & Compliance Division
     Date: July 26, 1996